Liquid container

ABSTRACT

A liquid container ( 10 ) has a base portion ( 12 ) and a cap portion ( 14 ) which are engaged with one another for relative slidable linear movement. The cap has an upwardly facing recess ( 29 ). Initially, the cap portion ( 12 ) and the base portion ( 13 ) define a hermetically sealed chamber ( 42 ) containing a liquid ( 40 ). Upon relative movement of the cap portion ( 14 ) and the base portion ( 12 ), the base enters the chamber ( 42 ) and the hermetic seal is broken so that the liquid ( 40 ) is urged into the recess ( 29 ) of the cap portion ( 14 ).

The present invention relates to a liquid container.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid container comprising a base portion and a cap portion, wherein the cap portion is engaged with the base portion and is arranged for relative slidable linear movement relative to the base portion, the cap portion defines an upwardly facing recess, the cap portion and the base portion defining initially a hermetically sealed chamber arranged to receive a liquid, and wherein upon relative movement of the cap portion and the base portion in which the cap portion is depressed and moves into the chamber, the hermetic seal is broken and liquid is urged into the recess of the cap portion.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a liquid container in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the liquid container of FIG. 1 in a non-activated condition;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the liquid container in an activated condition;

FIG. 4 a is a vertical sectional view of the liquid container of FIGS. 1 to 3 in empty condition and non activated;

FIG. 4 b is a view similar to FIG. 4 a showing the liquid container partially activated;

FIG. 4 c is a view similar to FIG. 4 b with the liquid container further partially activated;

FIG. 4 d is a view similar to FIG. 4 c with the liquid container fully activated;

FIGS. 5 a to 5 b are views corresponding with equivalent figures to FIG. 4 showing the liquid container containing liquid;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a first alternative embodiment of liquid container in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a second alternative embodiment of liquid container in accordance with the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a liquid container 10 comprising a base portion 12 and a cap portion 14.

The base portion 12 comprises a base 16. The base 16 is arranged to provide adequate stability for the liquid container 10 when placed on a flat surface. For this reason the base 16 is the widest part of the base portion 12 and has a flat lower surface 18.

Further, an upstanding curved wall 20 projects upwardly from the base 16. The wall 20 is endless and is preferably circular. Also, the wall 20 is preferably integrally connected to the base.

Further, the wall 20 has an upper open top 21 (see FIG. 4).

Further, the wall 20 has adjacent an upper end thereof a seal 22 which extends around an entire inner surface of the wall 20. The seal 22 may be constituted of one or more portions which may be part circular or part elliptical in cross section.

An additional seal 24 may be provided adjacent the seal 22 to facilitate enhanced sealing in use.

The cap portion 14 has an inner wall 26 having an outer periphery which is curved and endless and is of complementary shape and size to the wall 20. Further, the inner wall 26 is arranged to fit within the wall 20 as shown in FIG. 4. Further, the cap portion 14 has a lower end 27 adjacent a bottom of the inner wall 26.

Thus, the cap portion 14 defines an unsealed recess 29 between the inner wall 26 and the lower end 27. Further, the inner wall 26 has a peripheral flange 28 extending outwardly from an end 30 thereof remote from the lower end 27. A cover 32 depends from an outer end of the flange 28 and extends downwardly parallel to but spaced from the inner wall 26. The cover 32 is thus curved in horizontal cross-section and has an endless curved wall 33.

Further, the inner wall 26 is provided with an aperture 34 which extends through the entire thickness thereof. Similarly, the cover 32 has a similar aperture 36 in alignment with the aperture 34.

The cap portion 14 has an upper open top 38. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 a, initially the inner wall 26 below the aperture 34 is in engagement with the seals 22 and 24.

In use, the cap portion 14 is placed on the base 16 as shown in FIG. 4 a with the inner wall 26 engaging the wall 20. Also, as shown in FIG. 4 the cap portion 14 is arranged to be pushed downwardly or depressed manually so that the inner wall 26 engages progressively with the wall 20 until the lower end 27 engages with the base 16 as shown in FIGS. 4 b, 4 b and 4 d.

As also shown in FIG. 5, prior to engagement of the cap portion 14 with the wall 20, a quantity of liquid 40 may be placed in the base 16 within the wall 20. Initially the cap potion 14 engages with the seals 22 and 24 to seal hermetically a chamber 42 defined by the wall 20 and the lower end 27. As the cap portion 14 is progressively depressed the lower end 27 engages with the liquid 40 as shown in FIG. 5 c in such a way that the liquid 40 is forced up between the wall 20 and the inner wall 26 until it reaches the aperture 34. The liquid 40 is then caused to flow into the recess 29 through the aperture 34 as shown in FIG. 5 d. In FIG. 5 of the drawings a single aperture 34 is shown but other variations may contain one or more apertures including shapes other than circular in cross-section.

As the cap portion 14 is depressed further more liquid enters the cap portion 14. The displaced liquid then enters the recess 29. The recess 29 could also contain, if necessary, some means of preventing liquid splashing out due to excessive flow. For example, a small inserted plastics component or sponge material that would prevent splashing but not hinder access to the liquid could be used.

Further, once the aperture 34 has reached and passed the seals 22 and 24 as shown in FIG. 5 a, the chamber 42 is unsealed.

Further, in the condition shown in FIG. 5 d the liquid is accessible to a user by means of a brush or applicator which is preferably disposable.

In FIG. 6 there is shown an embodiment 50. Like numbers denote like parts to those found in FIGS. 1 to 5. In this embodiment a flange 52 extends outwardly from an upper end 51 of the cap portion 14 for engagement by a finger of a user.

In FIG. 7 there is shown an alternative embodiment 60 where a flange 62 similar to the flange 52 extends outwardly from the cover 32 adjacent the aperture 36.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 the base 16 is relatively large compared to the base of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5.

The seals 22 and 24 could be replaced by other equivalent seal designs.

The liquid container of the present invention is intended for use with liquid materials generally but more specifically for liquid dental materials.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A liquid container comprising a base portion and a cap portion, wherein the cap portion is engaged with the base portion and is arranged for relative slidable linear movement relative to the base portion, the cap portion defines an upwardly facing recess, the cap portion and the base portion defining initially a hermetically sealed chamber arranged to receive a liquid, and wherein upon relative movement of the cap portion and the base portion in which the cap portion enters the chamber, the hermetic seal is broken and liquid is urged into the recess of the cap portion.
 2. A liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a base having an open topped upstanding endless wall projecting upwardly therefrom, the endless wall of the base portion is provided on an inner surface thereof adjacent an upper end with a seal means which extends around the entire inner surface of the endless wall such that initially a region of the inner wall below the seal means is hermetically sealed by a lower end of the cap engaged with the inner wall.
 3. A liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the cap portion has an inner endless wall which is of complementary shape and size to the endless wall of the base portion.
 4. A liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the cap portion has an inner endless wall which is of complementary shape and size to the endless wall of the base portion, and an endless cover is mounted to and spaced from the inner endless wall of the cap portion and extends downwardly relative to the wall of the base portion externally thereof.
 5. A liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the cap portion has an inner endless wall which is of complementary shape and size to the endless wall of the base portion, and an endless cover is mounted to and spaced from the inner endless wall of the cap portion and extends downwardly relative to the wall of the base portion externally thereof, the endless wall of the cap portion is provided at an intermediate height with an aperture which extends through the entire thickness thereof such that as the cap portion is depressed the hermetic seal is lost as the aperture engages with the seal means, such that liquid in the chamber is forced up by the cap portion between the endless wall of the base and the endless wall of the cap portion to flow into the recess of the cap portion through the aperture.
 6. A liquid container according claim 1, wherein a flange extends laterally outwardly from an upper end of the cap portion for manual engagement by a user.
 7. A liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the cap portion has an inner endless wall which is of complementary shape and size to the endless wall of the base portion, and an endless cover is mounted to and spaced from the inner endless wall of the cap portion and extends downwardly relative to the wall of the base portion externally thereof, wherein flange extends laterally outwardly from the endless cover adjacent a lower end thereof for manual engagement by a user.
 8. A liquid container according to claim 1, in which a liquid is contained initially in the region between the lower end of the cap and the base portion. 